Packaging Insert

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a packaging insert containing individually sealed elongate elements, comprising a first web having a series of grooves running parallel to its length and a second web arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and containing a single elongate element, a first end of the individual pockets is sealed, and a second end is temporarily sealed allowing individual access to each pocket containing a single elongate element. The invention also provides a method of preparing the same, and packet containing in it a packaging insert of the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging inserts containing elongateelements, particularly but not exclusively to packaging insertscontaining smoking articles.

BACKGROUND

Many variations of packets for elongate elements, such as smokingarticles, are employed. Improvements in these types of packaging aredesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a packaging insertcontaining individually sealed elongate elements, comprising a first webhaving a series of parallel grooves and a second web arranged over thegrooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individualpockets each shaped to fit and hold a single elongate element, eachfirst end of the individual pockets has a first seal, and each secondend has a temporary second seal allowing individual access to eachpocket containing a single elongate element.

The first and second seals cover the respective ends of the individualpockets providing a series of individually sealed pockets. The first endmay be permanently or temporarily sealed. The second seal is a temporaryseal allowing individual access to each pocket containing a singleelongate element. Providing access to each pocket individually allowsthe user to remove a single elongate element without breaking the sealaround any other elongate element in the packaging insert. Hence, theshelf-life of the elongate elements remaining in the packaging insert isincreased.

The individual pockets may have any suitable cross section. For example,the individual pockets may have a triangular, circular, semi-circular,or hexagonal cross section.

The grooves of the first web may have any suitable shaped cross sectionso that each groove is shaped to form part of an individual pocketcontaining a single elongate element. For example, the grooves of thefirst web may have a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross section.In embodiments in which the second web has no grooves, V-shaped andU-shaped grooves provide individual pockets having triangular andsemi-circular cross sections respectively. Alternatively, the grooves ofthe first web may have a polygonal shaped cross section such as athree-sided polygonal shaped cross section. In embodiments in which boththe first web and the second web have three-sided polygonal shaped crosssections, the resulting individual pockets have a hexagonal crosssection.

The second web may have no grooves. The second web may therefore besubstantially flat.

Alternatively, the second web may comprise a series of parallel grooves.The grooves of the second web may have any suitable shaped cross sectionso that each groove is shaped to form part of an individual pocket. Forexample, the grooves of the second web may have a V-shaped cross sectionor a U-shaped cross section. Alternatively, the grooves of the secondweb may have a polygonal shaped cross section such as a three-sidedpolygonal shaped cross section.

In one embodiment, the first web and the second web both have a seriesof parallel grooves, wherein the webs are arranged so that the groovesof the first web face and align with the grooves of the second web.

The grooves of the first web and the second web may have the same shapedcross section.

For example, the first web and the second web may both have grooveshaving a three-sided polygonal shaped cross section, wherein the websare arranged so that the grooves of the second web face and align withthe grooves of the first web resulting in a series of individual pocketshaving a hexagon shaped cross-section each shaped to contain a singleelongate element.

The grooves of the first web and/or the grooves of the second web may beequally spaced along each web.

The first and second webs may be made of the same material or ofdifferent materials. Any suitable material may be used including but notlimited to thin walled card. For example, the first and second webs maybe impervious to water, moisture and/or air. In such circumstances, thefirst and second webs may be made of one material that is impervious towater/moisture/air. Alternatively, the first/second web may comprise anysuitable base material, such as thin walled card, board, film or foil,and further comprise a layer or membrane that is impervious to water,moisture and/or air.

The first and second webs may be joined together. For example, the firstand second webs may be bonded together. Any suitable bonding means maybe employed including but not limited to adhesive.

The first web and the second web may be joined together where the secondweb contacts with areas between the grooves of the first web. Forexample, a first web having grooves and ridges may be joined to a secondweb where the second web contacts the ridges of the first web facing thesecond web. A first web having grooves and ridges may be joined to asecond web having grooves and ridges where the ridges of the first webcontact the ridges of the second web facing the first web.

In the present invention, the individually sealed pockets are sealed atboth ends. In one embodiment, the first end is permanently sealed.

The seal at the second end is temporary and may comprise perforationsarranged to allow individual access to each pocket. Access to eachindividual pocket is achieved by breaking the perforations; this in turnallows removal of an elongate element from the pocket.

In one embodiment, the temporary seal at the end of each individualpocket comprises a tab. The tab may provide a part of the seal that auser can hold to help opening of each temporary seal and allow access toeach individual pocket.

The seal(s) at one or both ends of the individual pockets may be formedfrom a continuous strip of material positioned over the (open) ends ofthe individual pockets. The strip may be joined to the ends of theindividual pockets, for example by adhesive.

The strip may be the same width as the depth of the grooves of the firstweb or the same width as the combined depth of the grooves of the firstand second webs (in embodiments in which the pockets are formed by afirst web and a second web both having grooves that face and align witheach other). When the strip of material is the same width as thegrooves, part of the strip extends beyond the end of the individualpockets providing a tab for each individual pocket. The tab makes iteasier to open the seal, and allow access to each individual pocket.Alternatively, the strip may be wider than the ends of the individualpockets.

The continuous strip may be joined to the end of the individual pocketsby any suitable means including but not limited to bonding the strip tothe ends of the individual pockets. For example, the continuous stripmay be heat bonded to the ends of the individual pockets.

Positioning such a continuous strip at the ends of the individualpockets may create a temporary seal or a permanent seal. For example, atemporary seal may be created by providing a continuous strip having aseries of perforated lines arranged lateral to the length of the stripso that perforation of one or more perforated lines allows access to oneindividual pocket containing an elongate element.

The strip may be made of the same material as the first and/or secondwebs, or can be different from the first and/or second webs. The stripmay be made from any suitable material including but not limited to thinwalled card, foil, opaque foil, or plastic such as transparent ortranslucent plastic. In some embodiments, the seal is impervious towater, moisture and/or air.

Alternatively, the seal at one or both ends of the individual pockets isformed by an extension of the second web that is folded such that itcovers the ends of the individual pockets creating a seal. Such a sealmay be possible when the second web has no grooves. For example, thesecond web may be folded along an axis running along the ends of theindividual pockets.

To provide such an arrangement, the width of the first web may be lessthan the width of the second web, such that the width of the second webextends beyond the width of the first web, providing an additional widthof second web in relation to the first web. The second web is thenfolded such that the additional width of the second web is positionedover one end of the series of individual pockets containing elongateelements thereby sealing one end of the individual pockets. Theindividual pockets may be sealed in this way at one end or both ends.

The seals may be of any suitable shape including but not limited tosemicircular, triangular, and hexagonal. For example, a seal may be thesame shape and size as the end of each individual pocket. Alternatively,the seal has a size greater than the end of each individual pocket. Eachseal would therefore overlap the end of each pocket providing an easyway of removing a temporary seal from the end of an individual pocket.

In the context of a temporary seal, the extension of the second web mayfurther comprise a series of perforations that extend from the edge(s)of each individual pocket (where the first web joins the second web).The perforations are arranged to allow access to each individual pocketwhen the perforations are broken and to allow removal of an elongateelement from each pocket.

Any kind of temporary seal may further comprise a tab. A tab facilitatesthe opening of a seal from the end of the pockets and allows the user togain access to an elongate element inside each pocket.

A tab may be of any suitable shape including but not limited tosemicircular.

Any individually sealed elongate element/smoking article may furtherbenefit from being stored in an inert atmosphere. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the packaging inserts of the present invention furthercomprise an inert gas in each of the individual pockets. For example, anindividual pocket may further comprise an inert gas such as nitrogen.The inert gas may be added during the preparation of the packaginginsert. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to add the inertgas under positive pressure. Adding an inert gas may take place before,during and/or after the elongate elements/smoking articles are fed tothe grooves/pockets.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method ofpreparing a packaging insert of the present invention, the methodcomprises providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shapedto fit and containing a single elongate element, sealing a first end ofeach pocket, and sealing a second end of each pocket with a temporaryseal allowing individual access to each pocket containing a singleelongate element.

In one embodiment, the elongate article is a smoking article.

The step of sealing one or both ends of the individual pockets maycomprise positioning a continuous strip along the (open) ends of theindividual pockets and joining the strip to the pockets creating a seal.

The strip may be the same width as the depth of the grooves of the firstweb or the same width as the combined depth of the grooves of the firstand second webs (in embodiments in which the pockets are formed by afirst web and a second web both having grooves that face and align witheach other).

Joining the continuous strip to the end of the individual pockets may becarried out in any suitable way including but not limited to bonding thestrip to the ends of the individual pockets. For example, the continuousstrip may be heat bonded to the ends of the individual pockets.

Positioning such a continuous strip at the ends of the individualpockets may create a temporary seal or a permanent seal. For example, atemporary seal may be created by providing a continuous strip having aseries of perforated lines arranged lateral to the length of the stripso that perforation of one or more perforated lines allows access to oneindividual pocket containing an elongate element.

The strip may be made of the same material as the first and/or secondwebs, or can be different from the first and/or second webs. The stripmay be made from any suitable material including but not limited to thinwalled card, foil, opaque foil, or plastic such as transparent ortranslucent plastic. In some embodiments, the seal is impervious towater, moisture and/or air.

Alternatively, the step of sealing one or both ends of the individualpockets may comprise folding part of the second web such that it coversthe ends of the pockets creating a seal. Such a step may be possiblewhen the second web has no grooves and no ridges, and has a widthgreater than the width of the first web. The second web may be foldedalong an axis running in the direction of travel of the second web.

For example, the width of the first web may be less than the width ofthe second web, such that the width of the second web extends beyond thewidth of the first web, providing an additional width of second web inrelation to the first web. The second web is then folded such that theadditional width of the second web is positioned over one end of theseries of individual pockets containing elongate elements therebysealing one end of the individual pockets. The individual pockets may besealed in this way at one end or both ends.

The steps above may create a permanent seal or a temporary seal.

The series of parallel individual pockets formed from a first web and asecond web as defined may be prepared by any conventional method. Forexample, the first web having grooves may be arranged with the secondweb to form the individual pockets before the elongate elements arepositioned in the pockets. Alternatively, the elongate elements may bepositioned in the grooves of the first web before the second web isarranged with the first web to provide a series of individual pocketseach containing a single elongate element.

A suitable method is described in United Kingdom patent application no.GB1305383.0 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a packet, such as acigarette packet, containing within it a packaging insert according tothe first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention and in particularillustrates one example of how the individual pockets of the packaginginsert may be sealed.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention and inparticular illustrates an alternative example of how the individualpockets of the packaging insert may be sealed.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show alternative embodiments of the present inventionand in particular illustrate alternative examples of how the individualpockets of the packaging insert may be sealed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a packaging insert of the present inventionin a rolled configuration having individual pockets that are sealed.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show examples of packaging inserts in a triangularconfiguration having individually sealed pockets.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention including an exampleof a method useful in preparing the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is desirable to package elongate elements in a manner that providesprotection from bending and/or crushing during transportation and/orstorage of the elements. It is also desirable to package elongateelements, in particular smoking articles, in a manner that improvescustomer experience both during the opening and withdrawing of theelement from its container and preserving the element for longer in itsdesired state ready for use. In this respect, a packaging insert may beemployed that retains one or more elongate elements and improves theprotection provided by the packaging as a whole. Such a packaging insertmay then be incorporated into a package.

Elongate elements may be, but are not limited to, any cylindricalarticle. Examples of suitable elongate elements include but are notlimited to smoking articles and electronic cigarettes. As used herein,the term “smoking article” includes smokeable products such ascigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobaccoderivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobaccosubstitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may beprovided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker. Othersuitable elongate elements include any delicate or degradable items suchas but not limited to halogen bulbs and glass ampules. Glass test-tubescontaining one, two, three or more smoking articles may also beappropriate.

In the following examples, the invention is described in the context ofpackaging inserts containing smoking articles, although the inventionshould not to be viewed as limited as such. The packaging inserts of theinvention are applicable to any suitable elongate element.

The invention provides a packaging insert having individually sealedpockets containing elongate elements. In the context of smokingarticles, complete sealing of each individual pocket in this wayprovides a way of keeping the smoking article in an optimisedenvironment to which it is best suited. In particular, the state of thesmoking article just after manufacture may be maintained. Environmentalfactors such as moisture and humidity can adversely affect a smokingarticle over time. Most importantly, a smoking article comprisingtobacco that is packaged in an individually sealed pocket can avoidmoisture loss and therefore retain its ideal moisture content. Sealingthe individual pockets containing a smoking article helps avoid thenegative effects such environmental factors can cause. By preserving theindividual smoking articles in their own individual pocket/environmentuntil they are smoked allows each smoking article to be at its optimisedand intended state when it is smoked. Smoking articles that have beenleft for a period of time in an unsealed packet during which time theyhave been subjected to varying humidity and other environmentalconditions, can when smoked lead to a harsher taste and hence a degradedsmoking experience.

Furthermore, the packaging inserts of the present invention provide away of extending the life of an elongate element product, such as asmoking article, without requiring plastic wrappers. Avoiding the use ofsuch wrappers has a beneficial environmental impact. The packaginginserts of the present invention can reduce the amount of non-recyclablematerials (e.g. plastic wrappers) employed in the package as a whole andemploy materials that are easier to recycle.

FIG. 1 shows the preparation of a packaging insert according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The packaging insert comprises aseries of individual pockets 54 formed by a first web 51 having groovesand a second web 52 (which is shown in FIG. 1 as having no grooves).Each pocket contains a single smoking article 53. FIG. 1 illustrates onepossible method of preparing such a packaging insert although anysuitable method is applicable. In the exemplified method, to the seriesof individual pockets 54 are supplied two continuous strips 55 which arepositioned over each end of the individual pockets 54. The resultingarrangement is then fed to a means 58 of heat sealing the continuousstrip 55 to the ends of the individual pockets 54 to provide seals ateach end of the individual pockets 54. Although it will be appreciatedthat other means of bonding the continuous strips to the ends of thepockets are possible.

The seals shown on the near side of FIG. 1 have perforations 56 arrangedso that each individual pocket containing a smoking article can beaccessed independently. In FIG. 5, each strip has equally spacedperforations 56 arranged so that breaking one or more perforations 56,for example a pair of adjacent perforations 56, allows access to oneindividual pocket 54 containing a single smoking article 53. A singlesmoking article may then be removed from an individual pocket. The strip55 is arranged at the end of the individual pockets 54 so that theperforations 56 align with the edges of the pockets 54.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in which a strip 55is arranged at each end of the individual pockets 54. However, in analternative, the strip 55 may be arranged at just one end of theindividual pockets. Likewise, in one embodiment the individual pocketsmay be permanently sealed at the far end shown in FIG. 5 by any suitablemeans, for example by using a continuous strip that does not haveperforations.

In general however a strip may be joined to the end of a series ofindividual pockets in any suitable way. For example, FIG. 2 shows analternative packaging insert of the present invention in which acontinuous strip 61 is arranged at one end of the individual pockets 60each containing a single smoking article (not shown). The strip ofsealing material 61 may be joined to the ends of the individual pocketsby any suitable means, for example using an adhesive.

The strip of sealing material 61 shown in FIG. 2 also has equally spacedperforations 62 arranged to allow access to each individual pocket 60.The perforations may be broken to allow access to each individual pocketand to allow a smoking article to be removed. The perforations 62 alignwith the beginning and end of one pocket and the next. As a result,breaking one or more perforations, for example breaking a pair ofadjacent perforations 62, allows access to one individual pocket 60containing a single smoking article (not shown).

As explained above, the temporary seals of the present invention mayfurther comprise a tab. A seal with a tab provides improved access toeach smoking article positioned in each individual pocket. For example,the strip 61 shown in FIG. 2 has a tab 63 located between every pair ofperforations 62. The tab 63 provides an effective 30 way of pulling theseal 61 away from the end of each individual pocket 60, thus breaking apair of adjacent perforations 62 and allowing access to a smokingarticle.

Alternatively, a seal may be incorporated into a packaging insert asillustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a packaginginsert 71 comprising a series of parallel individual pockets 72 eachpocket containing a single smoking article 73. The packaging insert ismade up of two webs. The first web 75 has grooves having a V-shapedcross section and the second web 74 has no grooves (is flat). Althoughit will be appreciated that other cross sections could be suitable inthe exemplified arrangement. The second web 74 is wider than the firstweb 75 and therefore a portion of the second web 74 extends beyond theend of each pocket 72 containing a smoking article 73. The extension ofthe second web 74 is folded along an axis 76 (shown in FIG. 3 a) runningalong the ends of the individual pockets 72. When folded (as shown bythe arrows in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b), the extension of the second web 74provides a seal 77 over the ends of the individual pockets 72. Eachindividual pocket can then be opened as shown in FIG. 3 b by pulling theseal 77 away from the end of individual pocket 72 and allowing access tothe smoking article 73 contained within it. The seals 77 illustrated inFIGS. 3 a and 3 b also include a tab 78. The tab 78 extends furtherbeyond the end of the individual pockets providing a grip with which theuser can open a single individual pocket. As discussed above, thepackaging inserts of the present invention do not need to include a tab.In fact, the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b is also usefulwithout the tables 78. It is seen that without the tab the extension ofthe second web that forms the seal at the end of the individual pocketsalso extends beyond the openings of the individual pockets. This couldalso be used to help pull the seal away and allow access to theindividual pockets.

FIGS. 4, 5 a and 5 b illustrate other ways in which seals can be addedto a packaging insert. For example, FIG. 4 shows a packaging insert 80comprising a first web 81 having grooves and a second web 82 whichtogether provide a series of individual pockets 84 each pocket 84containing a single smoking article 83. Although not essential, thepackaging insert 80 of FIG. 8 is shown in a rolled configuration. Eachindividual pocket 84 also has a seal 85 attached to one end allowingaccess to each smoking article 83 in each pocket 84. The seal 85 in FIG.8 also comprises a tab 86 to facilitate removal of the seal 85 from theend of the pocket 84. In particular, the seal 85 is shaped to match thecross section shape of the individual pockets 84. In this case, both areessentially triangular, although other cross sections such assemi-circular, hexagonal would also be appropriate.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show packaging inserts 90 according to embodiments ofthe present invention. The packaging inserts 90 comprise a first web 91having grooves and a second web 92 arranged so as to provide a series ofindividual pockets 94, each pocket containing a single smoking article93. The second web 92 in both cases has no grooves. In FIG. 5 a thegrooves of the first web 91 have a V-shaped cross section, whereas inFIG. 5 b they have a U-shaped cross section. The individual pockets 94each have a seal 95 that covers one end of the pockets 94. In both casesthe shape of the seal 95 corresponds to the shape of the cross sectionof the individual pockets 94. In these Figures, the seals 95 shown arethe temporary seals and may be pulled away to allow access to thesmoking articles 93 contained within them. Furthermore, the seals 95 ofFIGS. 5 a and 5 b further comprise a tab 96 to help remove of the seals95 from the ends of the pockets 94.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b also illustrate how the packaging inserts of thepresent invention may be modified into different configurations. Forexample, the packaging inserts 90 of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are both foldedinto triangular configurations. However, in FIG. 5 a the packaginginsert 90 is folded such that the individual pockets 94 are located onthe inside of the triangular configuration, whereas in FIG. 5 b thepacking insert 90 is folded such that the individual pockets 94 arelocated on the outside of the triangular configuration.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention and a method of preparingthe same. A first web 131 is provided having grooves 134 shaped forreceiving a smoking article 133. In FIG. 6, a continuous supply of afirst web 131 is provided and fed to a means (not shown) for shaping thefirst web 131 into a groove shaped for receiving a single smokingarticle 133. For example, the first web 131 may be shaped using a vacuummould. A continuous supply of smoking articles 133 is provided and thesmoking articles 133 are positioned in the grooves. The first web 131 isarranged with a second web 132 (having no grooves). A continuous supplyof a second web 132 is provided over the smoking articles 133 located inthe grooves 134 of the first web resulting in a series of parallelindividual pockets 135 each containing a single smoking article 133. Thesecond web 132 shown in FIG. 6 is made of a transparent material,although it will be appreciated that any suitable material may beemployed. The first web 131 may also optionally be made of a transparentmaterial although it will be appreciated that the first web 131 may bemade of any suitable material.

In FIG. 6, it is also possible to use a first web 131 is used that iswider (in a lateral direction relative to the direction of travel of thefirst web 131) than the second web 132. The first web 131 wouldtherefore extend beyond the width of the second web 132 providing anadditional width of the first web 131. The additional width of the firstweb 131 may then be positioned over the ends of the individual pockets134 creating a seal. In practice, this method of sealing the ends of thepockets may be carried out at one end or both ends of the individualpockets.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments inwhich the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superiorpackaging inserts containing elongate elements. The advantages andfeatures of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodimentsonly, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented onlyto assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to beunderstood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features,structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to beconsidered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims orlimitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments maybe utilised and modifications may be made without departing from thescope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitablycomprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations ofthe disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc.In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presentlyclaimed, but which may be claimed in future.

1. A packaging insert containing individually sealed elongate elements,comprising a first web having a series of parallel grooves and a secondweb arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series ofparallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a singleelongate element, each first end of the individual pockets having afirst seal, and each second end having a temporary second seal allowingindividual access to each pocket containing a single elongate element.2. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first webhave a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross section.
 3. Thepackaging insert of claim 1, wherein the second web has no grooves. 4.The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the individual pockets have atriangular, circular, semi-circular, or hexagonal cross section.
 5. Thepackaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and the second webboth have a series of parallel grooves, the webs are arranged so thatthe grooves of the first web face and align with the grooves of thesecond web.
 6. The packaging insert of claim 5, wherein the first weband the second web have the same shaped cross section.
 7. The packaginginsert of claim 1, wherein the first web and the second web may bothhave grooves having a three-sided polygonal shaped cross section, thesecond web is positioned over the first web so that the grooves of thesecond web face and align with the grooves of the first web resulting ina series of individual pockets having a hexagonal shaped cross-sectioneach shaped to contain a single elongate element.
 8. The packaginginsert of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the first web and/or thegrooves of the second web are equally spaced along the web.
 9. Thepackaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and/or the second webmay be made of one material that is impervious to water, moisture,and/or air.
 10. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first weband/or the second web comprise a base material and a layer or membranethat is impervious to water, moisture, and/or air.
 11. The packaginginsert of claim 1, wherein the first end is permanently sealed by thefirst seal.
 12. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the temporarysecond seal comprises perforations arranged so as to allow individualaccess to each pocket.
 13. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein thefirst seal and/or the temporary second seal comprises a continuous stripof material positioned over the ends of the individual pockets.
 14. Thepackaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first seal and/or the secondseal is formed by an extension of the second web that when folded closesthe ends of the individual pockets.
 15. The packaging insert of claim 1,wherein the first seal and/or the temporary second seal is the sameshape and size as the cross section of each individual pocket.
 16. Thepackaging insert of claim 1, wherein the temporary second seal furthercomprises a tab.
 17. The packaging insert of claim 16, wherein the tabis semi-circular shaped.
 18. The packaging insert of claim 1, thepackaging insert further comprising an inert gas in each of theindividual pockets.
 19. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein theelongate element is a smoking article.
 20. A method of preparing apackaging insert, the method comprises providing a series of parallelindividual pockets each shaped to fit and containing a single elongateelement, sealing a first end of each pocket with a first seal, andsealing a second end of each pocket with a temporary second sealallowing individual access to each pocket containing a single elongateelement.
 21. A packaging insert containing individually sealed smokingarticles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel V-shaped orU-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves arranged over thegrooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individualpockets each shaped to fit and contain a single smoking article, a firstend of the individual pockets has a first seal, a second end has atemporary second seal comprising a continuous strip of material arrangedover the ends of the individual pockets, the continuous strip comprisingperforations arranged to allow individual access to each pocketcontaining a smoking article.
 22. A packaging insert containingindividually sealed smoking articles, comprising a first web having aseries of parallel V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web havingno grooves arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a seriesof parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a singlesmoking article, a first end of the individual pockets has a first seal,a second end has a temporary second seal formed by an extension of thesecond web that when folded covers the ends of the individual pocketscreating a seal.
 23. A packaging insert containing individually sealedsmoking articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallelV-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no groovesarranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series ofparallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a singlesmoking article, each first end of the individual pockets has a firstseal, and each second end has a temporary second seal formed by anextension of the second web that when folded covers the ends of theindividual pockets creating a seal, each temporary second seal havingthe same shape and size as the cross section of each individual pocket.24. (canceled)
 25. A packet for elongate elements comprising within it apackaging insert as defined in claim 1.